Rochester Crackdown on Violators of Ted Foss Law

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) – Several motorists in Rochester found out the hard way what the Ted Foss Move Over Law is all about.

They were given tickets for violating the law while driving on Highways 14 and 52 last Saturday, Aug 31st.

It was on Aug. 31st, 2000 when state trooper Ted Foss was killed after making a traffic stop on I-90 in Winona County. A semi-truck driven by a Rochester man crashed into the two parked vehicles and Foss died at the scene.

The state passed a law in his name the following year that requires motorists to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles with their lights on that are stopped on the side of a road with two or more lanes in the same direction. The law was expanded last year to include two-lane roads.

Besides law enforcement vehicles, the requirement applies to ambulances, fire trucks, maintenance and construction vehicles, and tow trucks.

State Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson of Rochester says law officers around Minnesota observe the anniversary of the deadly accident every year by stepping up enforcement of the law on that date.

Christianson says the day Foss was killed has another special meaning - it was the same day he was sworn in as a state trooper.

News Update: Olmsted County is planning an expansion of its landfill.